Hands Versus Hearts

In the beginning of the novel, Hero arrives in California with injured hands as well as an injured heart. Throughout the story, a comparison is built up between these two injuries, and while a heart can heal, hands are deemed more complicated than the people attached to them. In this novel, hearts represent emotions while hands symbolize actions. Hero is able to regain peace in her heart, but her hands remain damaged.

The Gold Tooth

After her older sister gets a gold tooth installed, Paz is determined to save up for one herself. In this novel, the gold tooth is a symbol of wealth. Despite the fact that the family is struggling to put food on the table, a great importance is place on this seemingly superficial purchase. Paz finds a dentist who will do the surgery to a minor for a lower cost...